. >> senate minority leader mitch mcconnell is expected to take the senate floor a few minutes from now. he has been saying his office has been saying throughout the day when senate democrats offer a plan, republicans will review it. so republicans are very much waiting for democrats to offer a new type of fiscal cliff proposal. democrats are saying to republicans in the house, they should just pass that bill that passed the senate earlier this year, one that extends tax rates for families earning less than $250,000 a year. so very much bit of a stalemate going on here in washington as we move ever closer to the deadline. back to you. ashley: my first reaction is, so what's new? >> not much. ashley: at least it is something. but the 31st is well, the very next day. >> right. ashley: if you look past the headlines about the gridlock in washington what do the fundamentals of the economy really look like? are they not that bad? and will 2013 be the year for you to make money? certainly hope so. mark luschini, janney montgomery scott analyst joining me in an fb. in exclusive. mark, thank yo